Handling a tenant eviction in Lansing, MI: Go myself or get a lawyer?

[Joseph Montes]

Hi BP wise ones,

Things, unfortunately, have hit the skids with the tenants I rented my 3BR SFH to in Lansing, MI. On-time payments led to lay payments, to segmented payments, and now no rent paid in Dec. and Jan. The tenants are being non-responsive to calls and attempts to reach them at the property.

I live in Chicago and the independent property manager I've hired to watch over the place has made many attempts to get a hold of them. He called the court and served them seven days notice on 12/13/13. We'd hope this would bring them around, but I've yet to hear any report about it making a difference yet. A court date has been set for next Friday (1/17/14).

My question to you guys is whether you think it worth going to be there myself for the proceedings or hiring a lawyer? Lansing is 5.5 hours away and if it's cost prohibitive and I'd be better served by a lawyer, it'd make more sense to send one. How do those arrangements work in terms of cost/payment? Anyone have leads on a good lawyer in Lansing?

It's unfortunate given this is my first property, but I'm not discouraged. Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

Joseph